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How to Enjoy Your Tunes Mid-Air: Listening to Apple Music in Airplane Mode

So, you’re about to take off, and the pre-flight announcement echoes: “Please switch your devices to airplane mode.” Panic sets in. What about your meticulously curated Apple Music playlist? Fear not, fellow music lover! You can listen to your Apple Music in airplane mode, but it requires a little forethought. The key is downloading your favorite songs, albums, and playlists before you disconnect from the internet. Once downloaded, they’re stored locally on your device and accessible even when you’re soaring 30,000 feet above ground.

Preparing for Takeoff: Downloading Your Music

The secret sauce to inflight entertainment with Apple Music is preparation. You can’t stream music without an internet connection, so downloading is paramount. Here’s how to ensure your music library is ready for your flight:

Downloading Individual Songs

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Find the song you want to download. You can search for it directly or browse your library.
Tap the “Add” button (the plus sign) next to the song, and then tap the download icon (a cloud with a downward arrow). The song will begin downloading to your device. You’ll see a spinning circle which replaces the Cloud Icon, and the Cloud Icon will disappear once the download is complete.

Downloading Albums and Playlists

Navigate to the album or playlist you wish to download.
Look for the download button (the same cloud with a downward arrow) located at the top of the album or playlist page, typically beneath the album art or playlist title.
Tap the download button. All the songs in the album or playlist will begin downloading.

Checking Download Progress

You can monitor the progress of your downloads in a couple of ways. On iOS:

While actively downloading, a progress indicator will appear on the bottom part of the screen when you’re navigating the Apple Music app.
Go to your Library, and then go to Downloaded to see everything you’ve downloaded.

On Android, the process may vary slightly depending on your device’s operating system, but similar progress indicators will be present.

Managing Storage Space

Downloaded music consumes storage space on your device. Before downloading a large library, check your available storage in your device’s settings. To free up space, you can delete downloaded music you no longer need. Simply find the downloaded song, album, or playlist, and tap the three dots (…) next to it. Select “Remove” or “Delete” and then choose “Remove Downloads.”

Enabling Airplane Mode & Enjoying Your Music

Once your music is downloaded, engaging airplane mode is simple:

On iOS: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older devices) to access Control Center. Tap the airplane icon.
On Android: Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification shade. Look for the airplane mode icon and tap it to turn it on.
Open the Apple Music app.
Go to your Library. Since you’re in airplane mode, only your downloaded music will be available. Browse your downloaded songs, albums, and playlists and enjoy!

Troubleshooting: What if It Doesn’t Work?

Sometimes, even with downloaded music, you might encounter hiccups. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide:

Verify Downloads: Double-check that the music you want to listen to is actually downloaded to your device. Sometimes downloads get interrupted.
Apple Music Subscription Status: Ensure your Apple Music subscription is active. Expired subscriptions can restrict access to downloaded content, even when offline. While downloaded music should be accessible for a limited time after expiry (typically around 30 days), it’s best to keep your subscription current.
Device Restart: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches.
Apple Music App Update: Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Apple Music app. Outdated versions can have compatibility issues.
Check Device Storage: Ensure your device has enough storage space available. If your storage is full, Apple Music may have trouble accessing downloaded files.

Apple Music in the Clouds & On the Go

Taking the time to download music allows you to transform your next flight into a personal concert hall, free from the limitations of internet connectivity. With a little planning, you can ensure that your favorite tunes are always available, even when you’re soaring through the clouds. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about listening to Apple Music in airplane mode.

1. Does Apple Music require Wi-Fi or cellular data to play downloaded songs?

No. Once songs are fully downloaded to your device, they can be played offline without Wi-Fi or cellular data. This is precisely why downloading is crucial for listening in airplane mode.

2. How do I know which songs are downloaded on my iPhone?

In the Apple Music app, go to Library, and then go to Downloaded. This section displays all the music that is currently stored on your device. You can also look for the “Downloaded” icon next to each song.

3. Can I still create playlists while in airplane mode?

Yes, you can create playlists in Apple Music while offline. However, you won’t be able to add new songs that are not already downloaded to your device until you have an internet connection. You can add songs that are already downloaded to your device to the new Playlist.

4. Will listening to downloaded music drain my battery faster in airplane mode?

Listening to downloaded music in airplane mode generally conserves battery life compared to streaming music. This is because your device isn’t constantly searching for a network signal.

5. What happens to my downloaded Apple Music songs if I cancel my subscription?

Downloaded Apple Music songs become inaccessible once your subscription expires. Apple Music uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent you from keeping the downloaded files after your subscription ends. While you may see them on your device for a while, you won’t be able to play them.

6. Can I download music to an SD card on an Android device for offline listening?

Yes, on some Android devices, you can download Apple Music to an SD card, depending on your device’s settings and the version of the Apple Music app. You’ll need to configure the download location within the Apple Music app’s settings.

7. How do I remove downloaded music from my iPhone to free up space?

Go to Library > Downloaded. Find the song, album, or playlist you want to remove. Tap the three dots (…) next to it, select “Remove” or “Delete,” and then choose “Remove Downloads.”

8. Does Apple Music automatically download music for offline listening?

No, Apple Music does not automatically download music unless you specifically choose to download it. You must manually download the songs, albums, or playlists you want to listen to offline.

9. Can I listen to Apple Music radio stations in airplane mode?

No, you cannot listen to Apple Music radio stations in airplane mode. Radio stations require an active internet connection to stream content.

10. I have cellular data, but I still can’t play Apple Music. What could be the problem?

Ensure that cellular data is enabled for the Apple Music app in your device’s settings. Go to your phone settings, find “Cellular,” and make sure that Apple Music has permission to use cellular data.

11. Is there a limit to how much music I can download from Apple Music?

The amount of music you can download is primarily limited by the available storage space on your device. Apple Music does not impose a specific download limit.

12. Can family members using Apple Music Family Sharing listen to downloaded music offline simultaneously?

Yes, each family member can download and listen to music offline simultaneously without affecting other family members’ access, provided they have their own devices and have downloaded the music locally.